2016 in review

Overall 2016's been amazing.

At the end of the year there are some relationships that are worse off than they were at the start of the year, i've got a lot of questions that I don't know the answer to, I have a lot of new relationships that are awesome, i've done a lot of learning and I've had a chance to gain a lot of wisdom from a lot of people, i've done things that I am incredibly proud of the results, and I've gotten results that I really wish I could change.

2017 comes with opportunity, it also brings with it a lot of responsibility and a lot of questions that I don't have answers to, most importantly 2017 is going to be a year where I get a chance to live life and just enjoy the life I'm living. I'm going to work a lot of different jobs, i'm going to meet with a lot of friends, and family, i'm going to look at the education and spend some time doing research that's not just entertainment, i'm going to create environments that I enjoyed being in and I'm going to be a part of environments that I've helped create.

That's all for now and for 2017,

HAPPY (early) NEW YEAR!!

Tv

I'm currently watching a free different shows, one of them being The Seven Deadly Sins.

Meliodas - the Dragon Sin of Wrath

Diane - the Snake Sin of Envy

Ban - the Fox Sin of Greed

King - the Bear Sin of Sloth

Gowther - the Goat Sin of Lust

Merlin - the Boar Sin of Gluttony

Escanor - the Lion's Sin of Pride

envy,  greed, wrath, envy, and sloth

At the time when I wrote this I kinda had a thought, but we basically finished off this show in a few days, so I forgot, ahaha.

In addition, Hayden and I started off the Netflix original Knights of Sidonia, 7 episodes through that, it's pretty good.

I'm currently watching Battlestar Galactica and Flight of the Concords with Joel.

Josh and I have been watching Avatar TLA for a while now, and he and I started the Netflix original Daredevil last week.

For me personally I've been trying to finish off some of the shorter shows I've been watching, I'm thinking of starting up Gintama (201 episodes!!!) after I finish all my other commitments, it's so highly rated and well recommended so I just don't think I should try to resist anymore.

For tv I have basically the last season of Star Trek Voyager, and that's it. I might start watching Boondocks in the future, no other solid plans.

For anime I've been watching Durarara with Bruin and Hayden (don't think we've seen one in at least a few months), I'm watching Monster, Medabots, Inuyasha, and YuGiOh (the abridged XD). I'm rewatching Charlotte, and sometimes I'll throw up Nana on Netflix if I've got nothing else going on.

That's my entertainment for the end of 2016! That's all for now!

Christmas Eve Candlelight

Candlelight @ The Project (Millwoods Assenbly)

The Collision

Meeting a persona that you've met in movies.

Who is one person you would want to meet?

Walt Disney, Gordon Ramsey, bono, paternal grandfather, the flames team, jonhhy cash, billy graham, Obama.

Zachariah encountered the angel, Mary and Joseph encountered an angel. 

Herod responded to Christ.

San Diego: princess Diana, shekels Pearce, 

Number one answer, Jesus Christ.

Video: Jesus' birth modernized.

Waiting your whole life for something?

Hope begins to fade, cynicism creeps in.

-Zachariah

Waiting and waiting.

Gods timing is perfect.

Are you like me? Everything need to be planned out.

The fear of the unknown grips you.

Mary and Joseph, whole life ahead of them.

One encounter everything changed. 

Mary submitted to God with obedience. Joseph allowed God to change his mind, his life's direction.

Christmas; same story, baby came to earth. What does this have to do with me? What difference could it make in their life.

Faith =\ reality

Herod, had everything he ever wanted. Pride, jealousy and fear kept him from making the choice that would have changed his whole world. He didn't acknowledge another King.

He walked away from the one thing that would have given his life meaning.

Video:children. that's what Christmas is all about.

Song: Do you see what I see?

What do you see?

Coming of a new life, love in its purest form, God reaching out to humanity.

This will be a sign to you.

The manger is a perfect picture of a reminder that God has come.

The religious man, Zachariah. A priest. But the thing that he wanted most was not happening. God brought hope where it had died. John the Baptist.

Hebrews: hope.

Let us hold tightly without wagering 10:23

Trust.

Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God more?

Change.

You can meet Jesus. The manger tells us that it is possible. Emanuel, God with is. He's not just past tense. He is very real present tense, interacting with us today. We can understand what it means to have a relationship with him.

Look at the manger and trust. May you encounter Jesus Christ.

Candlelight @ CCC

Dean & Laura

Video: Remmeber the child and celebrate the saviour. Matt 1:21

Video: Celebrate the Spirit of Giving

1 John 4:10 Propitiation 

Are (R) you ready for Christmas

Theee R words that remind us what Christmas is all about.

1. Result

Gen 22, Abraham and his son Isaac on the altar. Stop, now I know that you fear me. Now I know that you love me.

Jesus is this for us.

2. Reason

1 John 4:9, 15-17, 2 Cor 5.17,  Acts 17:28

3. Response

1 John 4:21

Communion.

Video: what is Christmas.

That's all for now.

Time to Sow

Here I am, chilling in church and man, do I feel pretty awesome.

Since I got the news that I'm unemployed, I have:

• Been to four Christmas parties
• Gone for coffee with 3 good friends
• Made a dozen or more phone calls to family and friends
• Networked, gotten leads on 5+ different job/education possibilities
• Finished 4/5 of my updated resume
• Applied to EI (might have incorrrctly filled in some blanks XD)

Basically, I've been focusing on where I'm at, where I should be going from here, not rushing into any specific idea, but acknowledging that life goes on, and I will grow and prosper in my upcoming season of life.

Honestly I'm beat. I got to hang out with my WHOLE immediate family, it was great.

I'm tired,

That's all for now.

Church between work

Church @ CCC

It's been a week without any social events, just out of town with work, living at the hotel.

Dean and Laura

Mr and Mrs ____

Their baby Jonathan, diagnosed at 4 months with Down syndrome. Mom and dad trusted God and asked for prayer, and when Jonathan was born he was DS free.

Luke 1:26-38

Story of Mary

Faith Principles

To See God Touch Your Life

1. The position of submission

Psalm 91:1, 31:19, Matt 6:6, lk 1:37, mark 9:23, 

1. The permission of confession

Lk 1:38, 31, eph 5:17, Rom 10:17, 2 Cor 4:13,

Children's Ministry Meeting:

Capacity 390, currently at 375.

Allstars 48, old building 24. 36 absolute max 2 Adults 1 lit.

Big news. DOUBLE SERVICES!

Discussion between times, 9-11, 9:30-10:30, 10-12.

Men's group Menergy

Session 4

Last week recap

Large paper notes

Internet pornography

Perceived anonymity and pervasive accessibility have made pornography a bigger problem than ever before.

Dr. Adrian Hickman

Carl 

Discussion/reflection questions:

1.

Chemical imbalance: dopamine 1100% increase in both porn and crack cocaine.

2.

Pursuing, putting in the effort.

I WANT to build up an 8 hour block for this one person, I just want to talk about real things. I'm not just goona go and hang out with talon and James for a few hours and play overwatch.

3.

Here's my action plan.

Letting people know if I'm alone in the hotel.

Keeping up my routine, (no procrasturbation) shower, exercise, make phone calls, shoot video, write in blog.

Church @ The Project

Thomas speaking

Topic: Suffering

1 John 21:18

When you are old others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go.

That's all for now.

First church after missions trip

Church at CCC

Announcements, etc

John and Ana speaking

Short and sweet video.

Changing the culture in a neighbourhood by interacting with the kids. Spending time with them, validating their needs to feel loved and accepted.

John:

Foster care intervention,

Kids Jam

44,000 homeless in the city of LA

Skid row consists of 44 blocks

The LA Dream Centre gives out 1.5 million pounds of food per month.

30 different food drop sites around LA

Emelentary Teacher helping

Adopt a block: started when Matthew Barnet was 20 years old. Knocking on doors, 'do you need anything? Can I pray for you?'

Purchasing the old hospital, 14 million, but after sharing their vision for the Dream centre the nuns gave them such a reduced rate

Houses 650 people on a daily/monthly basis.

Murray:

In his life, living #blessed, but it's just routine. There is something lacking, where's the passion?

I could really use this, break my routine and see where God takes me.

Getting out of my comfort zone, praying for random people, being available. Just the act of showing up and saying, 'I'll serve!' Meet people, say hi.

Praying for people, it's so impactful.

It is bad in a way, but when you're there at ground level, 1 on 1, it's just typical. Creating those relationships gives both sides so much fulfillment.

'Who you guys with?' A believer who just got off the street meeting with Murray, talking and expressing their passion and love for the lord. The Holy Spirit is in Rachael bs every one of those people, break those ideas that you will serve others, the guy who just got off the street was blessing Murray and praying for him.

Shelby:

First time out of Alberta, first missions trip.

Story with Shelby and Simi: this guy approaches and says 'what you guys got?' Protein bars, cookies.

Can we pray for you Daniel?

Nobody ever calls me, nobody comes to see me. I just want to kill myself.

Praying for Daniel.

Shelby was so affected, her heart breaks for this, weeping in the street.

It's about planting those seeds, God has a plan for that interaction, you just need to trust.

Simi:

Feeling like we didn't do anything. Daniel still feels despair.

Are we really doing that much?

Next time skid row, planting a seed and seeing it grow.

Eddie comes by

Our group is just there, smiling and saying hello.

Eddie talks about how just seeing these people smiling, showing their faithfulness by acknowledging his existence, changes his whole outlook.

We aren't always going to witness in that day or that afternoon, but the next person to talk with them might

'If I cannot do great things, I can do smal things in a great way.'

Get immersed, volunteer for a missions trip. serving and praying for people

Five things we need to understand about outreach:

1. Where there are people, there are always needs.

Mat 20:28 'He came not to be served but to serve.'

Heb 13:15 'such sacrifices are pleasing to God'

2. It's not rocket science.

'In my name they willl cast out demons'

3. Consistency is key.

Story about the guy who said no for weeks and weeks, but the consistent presence of the Dream Centre affected him gradually.

Story about John and Brennan and the progression in this guys heart.

Gal 5:9?

4. You must step out of your comfort zone.

Mat 10:8 'freely you have received, freely give'

5. Don't wait.

Debrief at the end, you'll get back into the routines and forget.

Pursue these things whole heartedly.

Paul immediately started proclaiming Jesus.

Mat 6:33-34 'week first the kingdom of God...do not be anxious, sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'

Joshua 3:1

Moses and Joshua, some did not get to see the promised land because of their own issues.

'For you have not passed this way before.'

Go into new places.

That's all for now.

Youth

Amber speaking:

Making decisions in a #YOLO world

What does yolo mean?

Calebs slam, slam dunk time.

Broke his arm.

John and Brennan's story

Make the most of every moment of every day.

Skip classes

Do it for the vine

Stop living for the day, the lifetime. And start having the focus on eternity.

1. Learn to discipline ourselves, don't be the coolest/best/privacy/

Live it and love it.

2. Focus on Jesus

Ecclesiastes 12:1 don't let the excitement of youth make you forget the creator.

3. Be passionate and get hyped for God

1 Timothy 2:22

God doesn't just got you here on earth.

Why don't people be born as adults?

Because they come out in stages, it gives us a chance to learn.

He created us as youth so we can get hyped.

Youthful passions are: crushes, popularity, material things.

Visual:

When you die, there's more.

Young Adults (post missions trip)

Young Adults at CCC

Worship

So, last week I went to LA, and it was amazing!

I had a chance to kinda debrief with my mom, brother, and sister, just giving them some short bits of my trip, things that stood out to me, things that I remembered well.

I talked about Judas Smith, the story of the Dream Centre purchase, the preacher from Texas, the Veterans outreach, that's all I remember offhand.

Announcements:

Dec 13: Christmas party & decorating

Feb 24-26: Young Adults retreat, Macamin Bible Camp

Nov ? Something

Sharing about the Missions Trip

LA Dream Centre:

Ana: 

Coming back we flew LA to Toronto, then to Edmonton.

Lots of fun together,

Isaiah 58:8-11 ...this is the fast that I choose.

Bring the homeless poor into your house 

'If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.' Isaiah 58:10

Foster care intervention:

Meet the state requirements so that the kids won't get taken away.

Single mom w/ 6 kids, looked okay.

Second homes didn't have anything. No couch, clothes everywhere in the house. We felt awkward, even she knew it was embarrassing. It was a hugely sensitive time to the mom.

The other group (my group) were cleaning the kids church/children area, kids of hang members etc.

Kids jam in the afternoon: games and a chance to see this passion for these kids. The kids crave so much attention, affection. By the end of the afternoon

The la dream centre gives out over 1.5 million pounds of food per month.

People need this food, story about the lines that start even before the food trucks show up.

Skid row: never seen it here in Edmonton. Slums like in Brasil, liquor at 9 am, drugs out in the open.

Showing them that we care, that they are actually a real person.

How many people got saved because of you, how many got healed?

The LA dream centre is there every day.

Jake was living in skid row 2 years ago, now he's the leader of the food truck ministry.

Is it about our religiosity? Or do we pour ourselves out for the needy, the homeless, those in our city.

There is definitely poverty here, they need the consistency of someone coming in and loving on them.

Kristen: last time it was cool, but I wasn't really there spiritually.

Divine appointments: ministry setting stuff is cool, but just random ones are so amazing!

The flight attendants, whose husband passed away and was connected to the LA Dream Centre, the whole group got to share their visions and words with her and what they were all about.

Next at the class, working with these kids 1 on 1, kids ministries showing that consistency. Every week hearing about Jesus, getting help with their homework 

Shelby: 

Proverbs 22:6 raise them up in the church and they will never falter.

Kids JAM: the kids know their names and they know the leaders names,

Doreen asks Simi and Shelby and Shelby helps the girl with 3rd grade math.

When you're a kid that is when you need to reach out to them. You'll remember those who invest into you for the rest of your life.

Shelby and Simi and Kristen in the kids service

Ezekiel goes to Shelby and says "let me show you how to do this"

Isaiah "I don't want you guys to abandon me"

Consistency: especially with these <4 year old kids.when they know you're coming back next week

Want to be black for a week.

Simi: not really good at talking to strangers,

At the start super nervous, kids are easier, they just start their own conversations.

Approach anxiety with adults,

Talking with the pregnant women, and this guy walks by and Simi smiles at him, he

Just you smiling at me makes a difference. I see God in you, all that stuff.

We see you, hi, you're not just a person in the sreeets

You don't have to do much to make a difference in a persons life and show God to them.

Didn't think I would experience profound healing, or like blindness.

I didn't even thing that just satin hello would affect me so much, ' I may not r able to do great thing but I am able to do small things in a great way.'

'You're not just here to feel good about yourself but you're here to spear Gods love.'

Doug;

Left 3 days earlier, so full of divine appointments.

The Holy Spirit was there, God was there,

What are you willing to do; how will you step out?

Crossroads , do I keep this to myself or do I share it?

Take that little step, God will open that doorway.

Relates to the prophetic classes here at CCC,

Step out and Holy Spirit will fill in the blanks.

The hot dog ministry and Dougs hip, 

On skid row, hey how are you doing? Anything I can pray for?

No im good. 

Are you?

The Lord showing a door closing, praying for him. Paying attention, God gives you great desires, you're made for so much more than what is here.

Ministring to adopt a block, this little black kid, trusting everybody, just playing around.

They have their everything in that moment. This kid was so trusting and so loving, he gave love.

Even the single parents with foster care, they want love. 

Most favourite thing: when god gives you something are you willing to step out?

When God starts a good thing you will finish it, when god gives you that little thing, it's encouraging and loving. Don't be afraid 

Doreen couldn't even step off the stairwell, and Doug spoke into her life, and after that she was conquering fear after fear after fear, donsmsginf fo see her conquer things that were holding her back.

Take you big for affords that line, God will meet you there.

Run a mile past the line, God will meet you there.

John: 

Theme of the trip: stepping out

It will wow you what God does, the doors he opens, the people you can talk to. Just NYC this tiny step.

Even Hohn, whose been in so many mission trips, had a chance to step out and see how amazing the works were

Where there are people there are needs

I have needs to and I'm here to come alongside you.

The first ministry was adopt a block.

Just showing up consistently and hanging out.

That's it.

Literally you just go out and talk to someone, give them something and let God lead you.

He's with you and he'll protect you and he'll give you the words to say.

It's so easy to meet these needs.

...

You may not have the fruit that day, you may be tilling he ground, seeding, etc.

God will harvest and reap that.

Even though you thought it was boring, know that God was there, and he has these plans that you may only have a small part of.

Small Torino time questions:

Lots of good conversations st CCC, meeting new people and remembering stuff about he missions trip that I kinda forgot.

That's all for now!

Fundraising Sunday

We've got our fundraiser this Sunday!

Bake sale, plus hot dog sale, lots of work to be done, but it's exciting to work with the same group that I'll be with over the next few weeks

Basically nothing has happened since last week except the passage of time.

Announcements: 

We do a disservice to God by treading Christ as boring. He gave his life so that we may live, and have life to the full.

It is all about the intimate, personal relationship with God. That is where we find our identity, not in activities, actions, groups, or careers. Our identity is in Christ, and that is what we desire to see each and every day when we look in the mirror.

Pastor Dean & Laura introducing our Missions team, and the church praying over us.

Menergy

33 The Series

Discussions

Review of idols:

Idol is an inflated thing that becomes more fundamental than God. Something that you love ultimately.

Brutal honesty: brutal men with brutal struggles

Solomon - empty promises John Bryson

Identify and deal with the roots of our sin.

Jeremiah 2:13 

Two evils man has committed, forsaken me the fountain of living water, and gone for broken cisterns, idols.

Adam

The original lie: that we must go around God and away from God, rather than toward him for the things in our life.

The idyllic garden of Eden, balance in relationship.

Genesis 3:5 idols of control and significance

Genesis 3:6 idol of comfort

Over promise andunder deliver, like all idols.

All men either walk in the shadow of the first Adam, or the light of the second Adam

The lie: there's a better way than what God has provided.

 

Solomon

Ecclesiastes documents Solomon's all out pursuit of happiness. Ended in vanity.

Searched for wisdom and knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 

Found it was only a broken cistern,

So he searched after pleasure

Unlimited bank account, meant massive parties.

Excessive alcohol, 43% of men engaged in binge drinking (>5 drinks in an hour)

Solomon was worshiping at these 3 altars

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Sex,

Solomon found it all vanity

Work,

We are not our work, work makes for a terrible God.

Paul - idol of self righteousness

Find significance in being good, in being moral, in being self righteous

Philippians 3:4-7

Whatever gain I had I counted it as loss. (Context: huge self worth)

Religious discipline or duty.

You are not alone.

Good things can become bad things if they become the main thing

Enjoy life, don't worship life.

Next session, battle plan.

Discussions:

Heavy hitters, the poster boy of the New Testament,

These guys still fall short.

What are our desires:

Myself:

Independence,

Financial stability,

Community,

Family,

Fitness,

Peace,

Things that we might be idolizing,

Something that we cannot get from God?

Went to the semifinal meeting after Menergy,

We decided to take two groups to the airport on Monday morning.

The plane leaves at 6 I believe, so we're meeting for 4:15.

That's all for now!

Baby Boy!

It hasn't been too long, but long enough.

It's time to offload my life into my blog, I love it!

Recap: My weekend in sask, Hayden's new Alpaca home, Sask Riders football, Briercrest peeps, mom & dad in Edmonton, Jana & Ians baby boy (7 lb 15 oz = 3.6 kg name ?), Becky moved?, got together with CCC people for prayer last Sunday?, prep work for our Missions Trip to LA, went to Talons house in Camrose a few weeks? ago, started Men's group this month, started Encounter Core/Encounter YEG this month, worked at Servus Centre in St. Albert, in Bonnyville school, talked with Jordan about communication @ work, 

Church @ The Project

Announcements with Andy!! What what!!

Momentum: young adult conference on Nov 4-5 (sad face I'm in LA, 

I love my friends Josh and Alyssa,

Josh has this hat that he wears pretty consistently. Classic British cap.

It makes him super obvious, so when I glanced around The Project sanctuary, I pinpointed our friend group easy peasy, since I know that Alyssa, Josh, Dom, and Isaiah sit together pretty regularly. It's just awesome having friends that you know care about you, especially in a moment when you might feel kinda far away.

David preaching: What We Believe

Science!

Favourite movie: Interstellar

Black holes, huge mysteries, 

Spaghettification? Feet vs head gravity.

Physics leaves no room for God

-Stephen Hawking

How do Christians reconcile what is right and wrong?

The Bible is not meant to be read as a science textbook.

Like swimming s race with hockey equipment, it doesn't fit the context.

How to engage with the culture that is scientifically dominant?

1 Cor 9:19-23

"...I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."

Who was Jesus, what he taught, why he died.

Paul set the stage on how our lives play out.

"To the Jews I became a Jew...to those under the law I became as those under the law, so as to win those under the law... and the same with those not under the law, to win those not under the law...to the weak I became weak, to win the weak..." 1 Cor 9:20-21

Anecdotal story about David's unit evolution teaching.

It didn't disprove Jesus, his tacking, church experiences, or his personal time through prayer.

Some things will be a mystery for us.

The foundation of my faith is not in (evolution vs creationism) it is in Jesus Christ.

Paul said "I have become all things to all people" 1 Cor 9:22

Christianity is for everyone in every situation. No culture has a monopoly on it, no religion, no cult, no traditional views, no one people group.

Share the condition of those you serve.

Often we set up camps on big issues.

Intelligent design vs evolution.

Predestination vs free will.

We don't have to change our own beliefs, we don't compromise our conviction.

Remember why we reach out to people!

"....all for the sake of the Gospel." 1 Cor 9:22

3 Practical Basis for our lives

1. Be flexible

-we get uneasy when we're invaded.

-don't compromise your beliefs

-science doesn't have all the answers to life's problems

-X people are uneducated and/or narrow minded.

-the answers to tough questions need varied answers and places to receive answers from.

-allow others to speak first, hear where they're coming from so you know where they're coming from

2. Be intentional

-languages, culture, economy.

-rather than consumers, Christians need to be in science, but not of science. It is not our identity

-people are curious, you don't know how God will use that curiosity

-use science as a conversion starter:

People need to be eased into a conversation about religion and faith, adapt to where they're at to how and why you have the hope you do in your life.

3. Be Loving

-John 13:35 "everyone will know who you are, by loving one another"

-everyone in this room will die. 

-King Solomon writes "sorrow is better than laughter because...."

-'...In tragic pain and suffering it makes you contemplate what is really important in life.'

Share the condition of those you help

That's all for now.

(I'm in an amazing mood praise God)

A man and his Idols

Menergy 2.0

Third series of 33

A Man and His Traps

So

Gods design for manhood

Key life relationships and events

And this one, Idols: A Man and His Traps

I'll be satisfied if I just have a little mire.

Idol: over promise andunder deliver 

Romans 1:21 For although they knew Him they did not honour Him  as God

Two things

1. Key Realities

2. Understanding Temptation as a Man

- what is driving my struggles

The Sin beneath the sin

1. Ruthless Honesty

-pretending we have it all together, going through life wearing a mask.

David White "we don't want to be. Honest, we like living in our lie."

2. Struggle + Temptation

-something that distracts us from our purpose, 

"we are either battling sin, actively sinning, or in the aftermath of sin"

3. Grace

-regardless of our performance, we cannot lose or get more of this gift.

Matt Chandler "when we stumble, run to God and not from Him"

4. Heart Change

-not just about behaviour modification

-behaviour modification without heart change is dangerous

All wrong behaviour goes back to a Heart problem.

-Idolatry: when we allow anything other than God to become the centre of our heart

Tim Keller "idolatry...the secret to change is always to identify the idols of the heart."

An idol can be anything - even a good thing

-Anything that competes with God for your hearts affections

Idolatry is built in a lie

-fail to bring lasting rest or refreshment 

Idols come from legitimate desires

-to pursue food and sex outside of Gods purpose/plan for us leads to bad things

Surface Idols and Deep Idols

-top par of a deep iceberg, directly relate to some external behaviour

-lower part of an iceberg, the motivating voices behind surface Idols. Deep desires that rule our hearts.

Deep Idols cause the manhood behaviours that can devour us.

Control

Significant

Comfort

Control:

-fundamental lie

If I can just maintain influence or mastery ofer this situation. Then I'll be ok content strong and safe.

Functional Heaven: having certainty or dominance

Biggest fear: instability or weakness

Ways it can play or What if I lose my Jorge? Will I have enough money?

Projecting through the future, 

experiencing panic attacks or over Anxiety

Significance

The lie: if this oerson______ginr mr worthy, then I will be important and acceptable

Functional Heaven: receiving affirmation and important feeling

Biggest Fear: rejection or humiliation

Ways it can play out: 

An inordinate desire for recognition 

Comfort

Lie: if I can maintain physical ease or relaxation____life will be more fun, easy, or forgiving?

Functional heaven: Pleasure and east

Biggest fear: boredom and responsibility

Ways it can play out

Avoid stress and responsibility

Constant consumption

Tendency to indulge first and ask questions later

Master the idol framework

Answer the idol diagnostic questions

(Booklets not quite here yet)

Discussion with men.

Martin twitch Group that going on a missions t ip tonight

That's all for now!

Encounter Core 2.0

Hanging out at Andy's place off White Ave

Carl Leitz preaching

You will make it through the valley

/White people staying in their zone./

Disney swirl, overnight changes

Not how the world works, there are dark days.

Religiosity does not mean we will not have valleys

Psalm 23 "the Lord is my shepherd..."

1. Stay Active

-keep moving, 

Proverbs 11:25 "The generous will prosper, those who refresh others will they themselves be refreshed."

Story of the mother of 5 with terminal cancer, still serving, 

2. Stay Connected

-relationships will make or break you

Ecclesiastes 4:9

"Two people are better than one....of one falls, the other can reach out and help. If one person falls alone... a person standing alone can be easily attacked, but two can stand back to back and overcome. A three braided cord is not easily broken."

Lean on me, when you're not strong

Sometimes there are doorways only you can go through.

Phil 4:13 "You can do all things through..."

If I wanna mess up my life I need to lie to a million people

Is it too easy to sin? Make it hard on yourself.

3. Stay Focused

-keep your eyes on the promises of God

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Do you see what this means-all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we better get on with this strip down, keep running. Never Quit!... when you find yourself flagging in your faith, go through that story again, item by item, and it will shoot adrenaline through your soul."

Why am I here? Most googled question

If you don't know, and are unfocused?...

In a moment God can change a season.

Chaplin of ____in Florida Lindsey Sterling - Majesty

Are you the same guy who has fallen 40 times but is still going after god?

Aren't you the same girl_____ dicorces, with those kids.

Aren't you the same church that nobody knew about last year but...

Focus on the cross

Churches are going to fail you, preachers are going to fail you, but Jesus will never change.

That's all for now.

Encounter Core

Kickoff night for Encounter Core 

Andy Stanley's "What makes you happy?"

No|thing|

Do we know?

We have forgotten what makes us happy, 

Advertisements promise and under deliver

Happiness is more about who than what 

Parents who create the environment, but 

Happiness is always associate with a who or two 

Happy what always leads to happy what else

I'd an aging what deflates your happiness you aren't happy to begin with. Just being marketed to.

globalX Syndrome:

"How can they be so happy, they don't have anything."

Impossible for Parents to eclipse the happiness than their most unhappy child

Same with husbands and wives

A couple struggling with infertility: what you own, what you drive, what you wear

Hard to maintain happiness when you're trying to bring a child into the world.

Our fulfillment will be tied to some who's, not some what's

In the end you will have relational, not possessional, regrets

"I don't need anyone in order to be happy"

Two types: people with relational options, inundated with love & such

People who cannot fix their relational problems: I am an island - super dangerous

When we can't get what we want, we tell ourselves we don't really want it

Happy people are at peace with...

-Themselves

-Others

-God

Anything that undermines your peace ultimately undermines your happiness.

Jesus followers => Christians

Peace with God paves the way to peace with ourselves and equips us to make peace with others

A lawyer asks Jesus What is Gods favourite law?

-Matthew 22:36

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

-Jesus

The most important commandment is about peace with God.

The second is like it: love others as yourself.

God provides the way to happiness

One other idea:

SIN

Whatever you think others or yourself shouldn't do, but do anyway

Sin is falling short of our standards

Sin separates

-You from others

-You from God

-Yiu from yourself

'If I ever_______, I wouldn't be able to live with myself!'

Sin makes a happy promise sin can't keep.

Sin is not your  friend.

James brother of Jesus

James 1:15

After desire, -> sin, -> death.

 To summarize:

Since happy is about who, not what

happy people are at peace with themselves, others, and possibly God, and 

since sin undermines peace by substituting and substituting

Since Jesus valued and prioritized peace both God, ourselves, and others

And since you want to be happy

You should consider becoming a follower of Jesus.

That's all for now.

Young adults

Young adults @ CCC

Theme for this month: hearing Gods voice

Life changing, destiny shaping, walking in Gods peace no matter the circumstances.

Sharing time.

God speaking to us:

When we're reading the bible

In situations, events, etc

In prayer, meditation & reflection

Internally, directed thoughts

Dreams, awake visions,

Music, 

Through strangers, friends, words from others.

God has called us to pursue Him, we need to be active listeners, not passive sheep.

Disobeying does have consequences, but they might not be as obvious as you'd like

Be still and know that I am God Psalm __:36

Distractions, not making time, selfish desires, "busyness"

The foreign feeling of Quietness

Samuel 3:1-11?

The word chose to speak to Samuel.

Why not so much? Complacency, normalness, not a miracle, distractions, not hungering for God, 

Joel 2:28 young men will receive visions, older men will see dreams

Esther 4:12 Esther interceded for her people.

How should you balance your life input?

Who should you allow to have influence over you? 

Take everything to God first, pray and ask for wisdom when dealing for inputs.

God has the final say, people make mistakes.

1 Kings 19:11-12

'The more you listen to His voice, the louder it gets.'

Psalm 37:4 "...and He will give you the desires of your heart."

As we align our hearts with the Lords purpose our desires become one.

Idols. 

Change of Heart

Your will be done

The Bible *is* the primary way that a God speaks to you

Recap:

Audible voice

Still small voice

Desires

Bible

Being intentional, using your off time, scheduling time.

Sponsored by Shine FM: Safe and fun for the whole family.

That's all for now.

Young Adults

Sept 27/16
Young Adults
John speaking on Community

4 things that community looks like:

Acts 2:42 "many wonders and signs were done through the apostles...and the Lord added to their Number Day by day those who were being saved."

What would community look like:
1. If everyone was hungry for the Lord.
Devoted: such a strong word, meeting with God every single day, fellowship every day,
You cannot be stagnant in the spiritual realm, forwards or backwards.
What is your drive? Be honest.
2. If the miraculous was a normal occurrence.
We can see sickness gone in an instant.
Seeing people saved, the greatest miracle of all. Operate in the miraculous. Wherever Jesus went he would pray for people and they were healed, for the sick and injured. "Greater things you will do with me by your side."
Not just in the service but outside your walls.
3. If everyone shared every part of themselves.
God might not be asking you right now, but He wants every part of you. If He asked would you be willing to do that?
There was not a single person in need, or lacking. Make sacrifices.
4. If it was continually growing.
People are encountering Jesus for the first time.
The other 3 are ingredients for growth.
Like baking a cake, it's just what happens.
Community bonding with games.
Illustration: starving with huge spoons, food on the table in hell. They were selfish, trying to serve themselves. In heaven they served one another with the huge spoons.

God has a plan for us.
That's all for now.

Blogger

Jordan's Blag:

Connecting Point @ The Project

Oh man has it been a while since I've been in Church? Do I work every weekend now? Am I running on little to no sleep and too much candy and video games? Do I ask questions that I'm never going to answer?

Yes!

Only to the last one though, haha!

So, lots of work. But life is going on at a pretty good pace,

Let's see how my first official Fortnight Summary Blog Post (TM) goes:

iOS 10 came out, love the update.

Bought oil and an oil filter, goona do that at my bros place.

Changed my alternator with the help of Joel, accomplishment achieved!

Got to check out The Champion City Church Youth Group! Such a cool group of kids and leaders! Looking forward to more of that.

Played too many video games, but you knew that already.

Did both dishes, laundry, and put away my old laundry, score!

Bought a toaster oven and a kettle, time to shorten my morning routine!

Ooh! A big one! My parents brought me down a mattress!!! Everything is SUPER COMFY now!

Took passport photos, started my paperwork.

Finished!! My Canadian Armed Forces application by sending in the last of my blood work, feather in my cap :)

I've kinda run out of quick and easy food, so that's going to put a damper on some things -_- I'm so lazy it's not good for my future self.

One of my closest friends have me a huge compliment, saying that I set goals, achieved what I ea red, and grew up and did adult stuff really well, I was super fired up when I heard this (I'm kinda thinking that one of my 'Love Languages' is words of afformstopn

Ok Church @ The Project

Connecting Point!

Blue: Fun? Didn't catch name

But we're in here! #Encounter YEG BOOYEAH!

Growth: green, get more spiritual maturity! Encounter Corr are you ready?

Pink: service! Go forth and use your gifts for others!

Volunteering as well, worship 

"Alpha?" Lots and lots of advertisements for this recently, kinda feeling it. Bear Gryllis? Sign me up.

Thomas: last Upside Down week

Things that have shaped our world.

Things that have shaped our own lives?

When you moved out of your house? 

First credit card?

What really signalled a change?

There is nothing more influential than your friends

The relationships you have with people

Best, worst, ugliest moments kinda include your friends

 Story time with Thomas: shooting Roman candles, almost starting fires, melting soles.

67% of The Project first timers is because of their friends.

Jesus chose to be in relationships just a with other people.

He didn't need anybody. But!

When you know you are accepted by people, you allow yourself to be influenced by those people.

1 Corinthians 15:33 bad company ____

Proverbs 27:17 as iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend

Sounds spot on! Hallelujah!

Weird thing, most of us will not do it.

Apparently we have no time.

Upside down things.

Maybe I don't need it, society's influence.

Things we don't really want tend to be the best things for us.

Culture will tell us there's no time, we don't need, but these things will have a profound impact on our lives.

When you add these people to your circle of friends 

Different people:

1. Future You. The person you want to become. 5 years from now? Seriously. Spiritually, professionally, personally.

People have gone before you, go to them! Ask how to not screw up the ways they screwed up.

Can you help me get there?

If you just keep with what you know and who you know already? Blind leading the blind.

Who is the five year older you?

1. The You that you're scared to be.

We do everything the same. Some call it lazy, we call it efficient. Don't continue to feed that. Find someone who scares you, but in a good way. People who don't think the same way, and you can learn from them. Ok, so you need to come out of your vacuum and say that you don't know everything. Find people who you can bounce stuff off of and you can challenge your motives.

1. Future You.

Birds eye view, to see around the corner. To see what's coming up. The 20-30 years older person who have seen a lot of life. These people allow you to live your life backwards, they'll add a perspective to your life that you cannot get at your age. This time of life, though it is very important, is not all of life. The wisest vantage point you can get.

1. Past You. 

16 year old you? What would you tell them? Yo! Ya idiot! Don't! Are our heads even on straight? You and I are responsible for the next generations success. Keeps koi accountable for your own decisions, and you can be their hindsight. Someone to help mentor. You can pour into and give advice to.

Connecting Point @ The Project

Oh man has it been a while since I've been in Church? Do I work every weekend now? Am I running on little to no sleep and too much candy and video games? Do I ask questions that I'm never going to answer?
Yes!
Only to the last one though, haha!

So, lots of work. But life is going on at a pretty good pace,
Let's see how my first official Fortnight Summary Blog Post (TM) goes:
iOS 10 came out, love the update.
Bought oil and an oil filter, goona do that at my bros place.
Changed my alternator with the help of Joel, accomplishment achieved!
Got to check out The Champion City Church Youth Group! Such a cool group of kids and leaders! Looking forward to more of that.
Played too many video games, but you knew that already.
Did both dishes, laundry, and put away my old laundry, score!
Bought a toaster oven and a kettle, time to shorten my morning routine!
Ooh! A big one! My parents brought me down a mattress!!! Everything is SUPER COMFY now!
Took passport photos, started my paperwork.
Finished!! My Canadian Armed Forces application by sending in the last of my blood work, feather in my cap :)
I've kinda run out of quick and easy food, so that's going to put a damper on some things -_- I'm so lazy it's not good for my future self.
One of my closest friends have me a huge compliment, saying that I set goals, achieved what I ea red, and grew up and did adult stuff really well, I was super fired up when I heard this (I'm kinda thinking that one of my 'Love Languages' is words of afformstopn

Ok Church @ The Project
Connecting Point!
Blue: Fun? Didn't catch name
But we're in here! #Encounter YEG BOOYEAH!
Growth: green, get more spiritual maturity! Encounter Corr are you ready?
Pink: service! Go forth and use your gifts for others!
Volunteering as well, worship
"Alpha?" Lots and lots of advertisements for this recently, kinda feeling it. Bear Gryllis? Sign me up.
Thomas: last Upside Down week
Things that have shaped our world.
Things that have shaped our own lives?
When you moved out of your house?
First credit card?

What really signalled a change?

There is nothing more influential than your friends
The relationships you have with people
Best, worst, ugliest moments kinda include your friends
 Story time with Thomas: shooting Roman candles, almost starting fires, melting soles.

67% of The Project first timers is because of their friends.

Jesus chose to be in relationships just a with other people.
He didn't need anybody. But!
When you know you are accepted by people, you allow yourself to be influenced by those people.
1 Corinthians 15:33 bad company ____
Proverbs 27:17 as iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend
Sounds spot on! Hallelujah!
Weird thing, most of us will not do it.
Apparently we have no time.
Upside down things.
Maybe I don't need it, society's influence.

Things we don't really want tend to be the best things for us.
Culture will tell us there's no time, we don't need, but these things will have a profound impact on our lives.
When you add these people to your circle of friends

Different people:

1. Future You. The person you want to become. 5 years from now? Seriously. Spiritually, professionally, personally.
People have gone before you, go to them! Ask how to not screw up the ways they screwed up.
Can you help me get there?
If you just keep with what you know and who you know already? Blind leading the blind.
Who is the five year older you?
2. The You that you're scared to be.
We do everything the same. Some call it lazy, we call it efficient. Don't continue to feed that. Find someone who scares you, but in a good way. People who don't think the same way, and you can learn from them. Ok, so you need to come out of your vacuum and say that you don't know everything. Find people who you can bounce stuff off of and you can challenge your motives.
3. Future You.
Birds eye view, to see around the corner. To see what's coming up. The 20-30 years older person who have seen a lot of life. These people allow you to live your life backwards, they'll add a perspective to your life that you cannot get at your age. This time of life, though it is very important, is not all of life. The wisest vantage point you can get.
4. Past You.
16 year old you? What would you tell them? Yo! Ya idiot! Don't! Are our heads even on straight? You and I are responsible for the next generations success. Keeps koi accountable for your own decisions, and you can be their hindsight. Someone to help mentor. You can pour into and give advice to.
That's all for now!
The blogger app didn't work so this is a few days late, Sunday sept 25 was the publish date!

YA Kickoff!

I Young adults kickoff service at CCC, dis gon' be good.

I've just gotten a cold, so that's a thing.

This particular variety of sickness is literally the worst thing I've ever experienced.

Not because I am disabled or anything because of it, but it's attacked my throat, and that makes it the worst thing. I can't drink water without feeling like garbage. Food isn't as enjoyable because i know in the back of my mind that I'm not going to feel good afterwards.

I can't even drink water without feeling terrible. And just existing also sucks because whenever I swallow I hope for it to feel better, but it doesn't.

Just venting at this point, UGH.

Momentum conference: November 2-3 Fri-Sat

$79 Oct 30 early bird end.

Plans for YA future,

They don't want it to be a copypasta of Sunday, they want it to be their own feel, maybe incorporate grow groups?

February YA retreat in Nackamin(sp)

Good time to refresh, Saturday, Sunday

Offering: plans for food and outreach and incentives. Invite other people!

John preaching:

Being in this new facility, full band with rotations, no need for tear down, basically awesome stuff all around.

Something we've all probably heard before:

In The Zone

"Let's get out of our comfort zones."

Pushing past boundaries, go and grow and so amazing

Things for Him.

What is your comfort zone?

Our lives, we've got so much going on, we know what we feel comfortable in.

Playing sports, gaming, going to the park, lake trips, restaurants, couch.

Story time with John:

John was good at getting other people out of their comfort zones

There as this one kid in particular:

These guys were biking, rode up a huge hill in grade 9-10, down thehill there's a huge jump at the top of the next hill.

Name? Anyways, he was booking it!

Serious air! Kinda landed the front wheelie, but biffed it so hard, even hurt his leg, and busted his front tire.

Same kid, more peer pressure.

Again on the bikes, these guys bunny hopping the driveway,

His friend catches his tire at the end, so he eats it over a drop face first probably.

What is your comfort zone? Entertainment, movies, tv, going to musicals, theatre, 

Your career, heading to work everyday, 

Routines of life, schedules,

Emotions, how you can be easily led by your emotions.

A place where you feel at ease, or delayed.

Walking with God is all about getting out of our comfort zones.

All the stores, examples in the Bible of people who did absolutely great things  definitely here outside of their comfort zones.

Our first step is choosing Jesus

Society says do everything you can for yourself.

When we choose Jesus it's the opposite, we served someone else, we follow someone.

Luke 18:18

Jesus talking to the rich young ruler

Good ruler what must I do to enter the kingdom of heaven?

One thing you still lack: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor. Verse 22.

Easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle,

"What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27

Johns in law relative or uncle:

Massive house, golfing green, huge pool goes into a waterfall, literally insane, basically should be in a magazine. A million dollars of art.

2 Ferraris, 

Crazy house you have! "It's just stuff."

It didn't bring him happiness, he was separated from his wife, he didn't see his kids much,

People try to find happiness in the things of this world,

We need to be those who go after Jesus, for that is where we will wind true comfort.

3 areas of life to step out

1. Have a heart that gives

Can't find happiness through possessions, but when you serve you experience Gods goodness

God loves a cheerful giver

Freely you have received, freely give.

Don't believe society, focus on God, give your whole life to Him.

It's not about how much you have, but how much you give. Disciple others, fill this place with people who are transformed for Jesus, THAT is out heart

2. Be Kingdom Minded

Doing what God has called you to do, understanding your calling, asking what has God called you to do?

There is a spot for you, in YA, in church, in your workplace.

Be the most fruitful yourself you can be.

Maybe you haven't asked that question, why here? Why are you doing the things you do.

Go to work everyday, church in Sunday, you don't even think about it because you do it every day.

Push those boundaries, don't be held back. It's going to take work, sacrifice to further His kingdom, stepping into where God is calling us to go

Matthew 6:33

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Work for the food that endures for eternal life

God wants us to enjoy things, sports etc

But it's not about that, it's about being a light in those situations

3. Know your source

The rich rulers wealth was his whole life, he was sad when Jesus told him to sell his things and give them to the poor.

Do you have a similar mindset? Is that your comfort? If Jesus asked you to give it up would you be upset? Would you be able to give it up?

What are we taking with us? The things that are eternal, that will last forever.

John was at a missions trip, a part of street ministry.

Guy sitting at a bus stop, John "do you want to go talk to him?" John being bold at YWAM, I'll go and you just jump in.

This guy was a traveling musician, not a local here in Australia. The Holy Spirit totally took over, talking abut God and the things God had for him and what His plans were. By the end John was leading this guy to Christ, at a bus stop in Australia.

These are the things that will last, we will see these are the people we touched,  we prayed for, we experienced life with!

God is our source.

Step out! Don't feel like it's inconvenient for you, trust Gods timing, sacrifice your own.

Listen where God is speaking and step out in that.

Luke 18:27 "Impossible with man, possible with God."

When you start a ministry, you are going to hit walls. Push past those things that might try to tear our ministry apart. 

When we start to grow, numbers going up, people showing up. The enemy will try to intervene, and we will pursue Gods plan for our lives together.

It's not just our vision, it's our vision.

Ana's plan:

Write a name of someone who we will commit to pray for and invite to our YA events.

That's all for now!

Finally a weekend off!!

I Basically I've been working for 2 weeks straight, so the past while has been really quick but I honestly haven't had a chance to stop and feel decor at all. I don't think I even remember all I've been up to for the past 2 weeks Ecks De (XD I'm so edgy).

Well for one I've been playing lots of league of legends so that's always salty:

Trying to win, getting carried, forgetting my fundamentals, losing focus, y'know the usual. I enjoy playing league because it's fun, but I'm reminded of what my brother said that it's an activity that you can't do anything but it. It takes your whole focus.

Umm last weekend I was working... And all that week I was so busy to even go dishes, but this past week I:

Did dishes

Did laundry

Dot a huge Costco shopping trip

Hung out with Hayden for an evening

Watched Avatar: TLA with Josh

Went to the CCC volunteer meeting (I wrote some notes during that service but it got lost when I closed the app, learned not to do that)

Got started on my Passport application 

Got the last of my blood work done, just waiting for the results now.

So yeah, basically a crazy week, but I'm loving life.

Right now I'm just thinking. Got my neutral expression on and my minds basically empty. I kinda love this thing I've got, j don't need to be sling, I'm just in a room with some worship music going on and I'm reflecting on what my life is and what I'm hoping for it.

I talked about kids and what success looks like to raise them with Hayden, since he has a cousin who kinda doesn't have any goals or aspirations, from the sounds of it to me.

Obviously I'm hoping that I'll be equipped to lead my kids down an awesome path, until the point where they start being their own persons. That really is an adventure that I want to hurry up and wait.

As in, I want all the good benefits but none of the commitments and/or hours and hours of work that is required of me.

Church @ The Project 

Thomas preaching

Upside Down:

An unfiltered look at how living a Jesus based life is countercultural, it makes you think a little bit.

What does that life encompass?

What are you willing to lose for more of Jesus.

This stage were at is about gaining more, gathering knowledge, building reputation, money?

Everything is so brand new, we  have to gain a lift of stuff to make it work.

Like 9:24 but if you give up your life for my fake, you will save it.

It's not about #blessed!!

Jesus isn't the genie in the bottle.

Read this just now in the Promise Keepers daily devotional,

Pray when things are good. Pray when things are normal. Pray when the you-know-what hits the fan. Pray throughout the messiness of life.

Story of the guy who wasked how to get into heaven? Jesus said for him to lose his status, sell everything and give it to the poor.

Jesus asked the apostles to lose their comforts, to abandon what they knew, and follow Him.

Mstthew the tax collector. Loses all that. Dolla dolla bills.

John the Baptist, he lived out of major towns and villages, he knew that'd he would constantly be overshadowed, the invitation to him was to give up his reputation. 

The Samaritan woman getting water from the well, she goes in the off hours to avoid the townspeople, who probably call her a slut. Jesus talks to her, invites her to let go of her shame, 

Luke 9:24 "If you give up your life..."

Luke 9:58 the son of man has no place to even lay his head

Luke 9:23 deny yourselves and take up your crosses

What are you willing to lose for more of Jesus?

If your house caught on fire...

What would you grab?

Your phone, kids, ??

I'd Jesus asked for more money, oh easy.

Ego? Oh yeah sure I've got no self respect.

Time? Ummm... But that's mine, I'm a busy man.

Hurt? Well, idk I've been hurt all my life.

Shat is it that will put you in tough with those around you?

What will you have to surrender?

Jesus modelled this, lived it

To the extreme.

Jesus gave up his authority.

Used to breathe life into existence,

He did it to give people hope.

Che really nice oictur of s guy holding weight, vascular forearm something I aspire for.

Body weight fitness is an exercise routine I need to get into. Even if I'm just learning the motions, and how to properly execute the name and Thor of an exercise.

To me

Everyone likes the idea of sounding just, it gives an excuse to not commit to anything.

If you let Jesus change your life...maybe r rig pigs won't get your life. Maybe your social media presence doesn't match up with you real self.

You've got hurts, shame, sin, habits. God is in places He shouldn't have been.

Right in the middle of your shame

And broken ness.

Hmmm.

To be honest, we are shaped by the people we are closest to.

What am I willing to give up?

Money, sleep, security, family, friends, shame, respect, comforts, reputation, time, hurts.

Homestly, I don't think there is anything that I would not give up.

This is a reminder that we have something to give. Something to lose

It's not arbitrary.

Experience Jesus new because you decided to lose something for Him.

That's all for now!